Market Stalls to School Desks: Rina’s Journey Back to School
At just 13 years old, Rina* has already carried responsibilities far beyond her years. As the eldest of four, she grew up in a family facing deep financial hardship. By the time she reached 4th grade, her parents could no longer afford to send her to school.
Instead of sitting in a classroom, Rina spent almost a year in the bustling Jatinegara Market, collecting rice to help feed her family. Often, she carried her 5-year-old sibling along, since her mother was heavily pregnant and later caring for the newborn. It wasn’t her parents’ demand—Rina made that choice herself, a brave but heartbreaking decision to ease her family’s burden.
However, in March 2025, hope arrived.
Yayasan Teman Baik encountered Rina and began to work on meeting the needs of her family. They provided immediate support for basic needs, but also something just as valuable: guidance for her parents on children’s rights, protection, and even opportunities to improve their income. This holistic approach gave the family more stability; and gave Rina something she thought she had lost forever: a chance to return to school.
And then, in August 2025, Rina buttoned up the school uniform and shouldered the backpack Teman Baik had provided and walked through the gates of a public elementary school—officially starting 5th grade.
For the first time in years, Rina’s days shifted from wandering the market to joining support classes, catching up on lessons, and holding a pencil over worksheets instead of hauling rice sacks.
Rina’s story is not just hers alone—it’s the result of collaboration between her family, Yayasan Teman Baik, her school, and you, our caring supporters.
And there are many more children like Rina waiting for that same opportunity. This year, Friends-International needs help in supporting around 7,000 children across our programs in Southeast Asia to get back to school and stay in school.
DOUBLE THEIR CHANCES, DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT – if you donate today, your donation will be doubled! A generous donor has pledged to match any donations within this campaign period up to the value of $50,000 for education. For more information on this campaign: https://friends-international.org/donate/
